Blog – Positive Puppy Dog Training

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!!!

Fran Jewell

This is about the power of competition in the multiple-dog household! It can be your worst enemy or your best friend if you know how to make competition work for you. I know only barely a few folks that do not have multiple dogs in their home. Competition can lead to aggression in the worst cases, but the skilled knowledge of the owner can turn it into a tool for quick and gleeful obedience! First, one must plan ahead to think about places where competition could become an issue.

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When Socialization is NOT Appropriate

Fran Jewell

Wood River Weekly N-Z

It has long been thought that if a dog is shy or even fearful, you should get that dog out and expose them to MORE social situations. If your dog is afraid of people, she should see more people. If she is afraid of dogs, she should be more exposed to dogs. The proper time for socialization is very early in a puppy’s life. The best time is up to about 16, maybe 18 weeks. During that time, we imprint events and good behaviors. (This is one reason it is so critical to do training, too at this time and NOT wait until the puppy is 6 months old.) Notice what I said - we imprint EVENTS during that time.

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When Dogs Abuse People

Fran Jewell

Wood River Weekly N-Z

Every day I am approached by dog owners whose dogs have practically pulled their arm out of the socket, or jumped on them and knocked them down, or stolen an expensive turkey off the counter. In one incident years ago, I had a client whose dog actually pulled him over and broke his face requiring three reconstructive surgeries! Then the dog pulled over his wife that ended up having to go to physical therapy for six months for her back!! This was the epitome of the worst case I have ever seen.

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What are you waiting for?

Fran Jewell

Wood River Weekly N-Z

Recently, I have been so dismayed by the lack of early dog training with puppies. I am not sure where this is coming from, but EARLY training and socialization is imperative to have a dog you can live with! What do I mean by EARLY? BEFORE 16 WEEKS OF AGE! Not AFTER they have finished their shots. By, then, pups have missed a critical imprinting period that helps them to live comfortably in our world. If puppies are not socialized with people, other dogs and new places during this period, they may fear them the rest of their lives. A fearful dog is NOT easy to live with and can eventually become fear aggressive!

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Walking, Walking, Walking

Fran Jewell

Wood River Weekly N-Z

Most of we dog owners love to walk our dogs. We are so blessed to have some of the most magnificent places to walk our dogs that are post cards in every turn along the path! We love the time we spend with our dogs and this special place we call home! Taking our dogs with us also bring some special responsibilities. We must be sure that our dog has a dynamic recall and will come back even in the face of chasing a deer, a bunny or a chipmunk.

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The Wagging Tail

Fran Jewell

Wood River Weekly N-Z

As we grow, not only in this valley, but throughout the nation of dog lovers, more and more dogs and people come in close contact with unknown dogs. Often, people that consider themselves well versed in dog behavior will interpret a wagging tail as a friendly gesture towards a person or another dog. I wish it was that easy. The wagging tail can mean many things. Without any other pieces of body language to consider, a wagging tail basically means, “I want to engage”.

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Is there such thing as the Untrainable Dog?

Fran Jewell

Wood River Weekly N-Z

Absolutely! Although, I refuse to tell anyone that their dog cannot be trained. What makes a dog untrainable? Free access to furniture, sleeping areas that belong to others, food, height, affection, and any resources the dog has claimed as his own. Notice the key words here are FREE ACCESS. When a dog has free access anytime to the things that are important to him, then he will no longer have any respect for his owner or others including people and other dogs.

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Unseen Dog Aggression

Fran Jewell

Wood River Weekly N-Z

Last fall, I had a very disturbing incident happen to my puppy, Cloud and me in the Ketchum Town Square. I had avoided taking Cloud to Ketchum to work on distractions with his obedience training because it was so busy and hot all summer. The timing seemed perfect, since it quiet before our holiday visitors come. As a puppy, too many folks at one time could be overwhelming for Cloud. I was sitting on one of the benches near Starbucks doing some “attention” work with Cloud and letting him hear and see the sounds of the town when a car pulled up and parked close to us.

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The Undoer

Fran Jewell

Wood River Weekly N-Z

Do you love to touch and pet every dog you see? Does it make your heart smile when a puppy jumps up on you to say, “Hello” with a sweet wagging tail and a goofy face! Are you someone that will say, “Oh, I don’t mind if she jumps on me!” then pats your legs or gets down on the puppy’s level to smooch her? Are you someone who can’t control yourself and will pet a dog even if the handler tells you not to because the dog is so nicely behaved and soft?

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Traveling with Your New Puppy

Fran Jewell

Wood River Weekly N-Z

Many people will research the best breeders they can find for a puppy of a breed they adore. Sometimes that means traveling to get them and bring them home. There are many great ways to help that new puppy have an easy trip home. I always suggest that you send an airline approved Sherpa Bag if flying, or an appropriate sized crate to the breeder ahead of time.

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